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basin yellow cryptantha
Scientific Name: Cryptantha confertiflora
Family: Boraginaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Cryptantha confertiflora
Cryptantha confertiflora is a wildflower belonging to the borage family, Boraginaceae. It is known by the common names basin yellow catseye and Mojave popcorn flower.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cryptantha confertiflora (Greene) Payson
- Family: Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
- Common Names: Basin yellow catseye, Mojave popcorn flower, Yellow Cryptantha, Basin Yellow Cryptantha
- Synonyms: The text references the International Plant Names Index as a source for Cryptantha confertiflora Payson.
- Note: The text mentions related ITIS Name: Cryptantha confertiflora (Greene) Payson (TSN 31796)
Distribution and Habitat
Cryptantha confertiflora is native to California and is also found in the Sierra Nevada, Great Basin (including the Bonneville Basin Region in Utah and Inyo Mountain subregion), and Colorado Plateau (Capitol Reef National Park in Utah). It is often found in sagebrush and pinyon-juniper habitats from the Gunnison Basin westward in Colorado. It also occurs in high desert environments like Great Basin National Park.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Basin Yellow Cryptantha is described as a subshrub or perennial forb that grows to about 15 inches.
- It has upright, silvery basal leaves.
- The plant has a bare stem in the lower part and many ramifications develop upwards.
- It has small yellow flowers.
- Most Cryptantha species are hard to distinguish, but Basin Yellow Cryptantha is an exception.
Ecological Role
The text mentions it as a desert plant found in various locations, including the Great Basin. No specific invasive characteristics were noted.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- The text notes locations where Cryptantha confertiflora grows alongside plants such as desert paintbrush (Castilleja angustifolia), phacelias, creosote, black brush and Showy Goldeneye.
Quirky Facts
- While most Cryptantha species have white flowers, Cryptantha confertiflora is one of only two species in western North America with yellow flowers.
Resources and Further Information
- International Plant Names Index
- ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System)
- Intermountain Flora Vol. 4: (Cronquist et al. 1984)